LAUSR

Abstract Fulfilling high-valued utilization of feather wastes will favor overcoming environmental issues and promoting the poultry farmers’ income. This study developed a new bio-based protein sizing agent [feather protein-g-poly(sodium allyl sulfonate) (FP-g-PSAS)] with high adhesion capacity to viscose and cotton fibers at low temperature, through graft copolymerization of feather protein with SAS monomer by building an ammonium persulfate (APS)/ SH groups (on the protein chains) redox system. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS) demonstrated the successful preparation of FP-g-PSAS samples. The samples were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Viscosity, water-solubility, light transmittance and adhesion of the samples were investigated. The FP-g-PSAS exhibited high water-solubility and light transmittance. Compared with feather protein, an increased viscosity and an improved adhesion to both fibers for FP-g-PSAS samples were exhibited at 60 °C. With the rises in grafting ratios, viscosity and adhesion strengths to both fibers gradually increased. The FP-g-PSAS samples had the similar adhesion strengths in comparison with the modified starches investigated in our previous works. These results indicated that FP-g-PSAS showed the potential in the application of viscose and cotton warp sizing at a low temperature of 60 °C.